[Next Phase Initiating: 60… 59… 58…]
Kael dragged himself up, pain spiking through every muscle. Each tick of the countdown hit like a punch to his spine. His body was a wreck—nerves screaming, blood oozing from a dozen cuts. Breathing felt like sucking air through a straw, his chest heavy under an invisible weight.
He slumped against a jagged boulder, the canyon's mist curling around him like a living thing. Kael's Abyssal Fang Dagger rested in his grip, its blade crusted with dark blood.
"Still not done," he muttered, his voice rough.
[System Alert: Adaptive Regeneration Efficiency — 40%. HP: 78%]
Kael scowled at the flickering system panel in his vision. "Tch. Cutting it close." His right arm twitched, unresponsive despite his healing ability activated—torn tendon, maybe. He didn't have time to check. Survival came first.
[Trial – Phase 3 of Third Floor – Survive the Enemy Swarm]
